Improvement in cartridges for gunpowder-hammers



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SHAW, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN CARTRlDGES FOR GUNPOWDER-HAMMERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 147,872, dated February24, 1874; application filed March 13, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS SHAW, of the city and county of Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Coating or Covering forHolding Powder, &c., for Shaws Gunpowder-Hammer and I hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention consists in the surrounding of the powder with a vegetable,animal, or metallic envelope, for the purpose as hereinafter described.The object of the invention is to prevent the ignition of the powderbefore it is struck by the hammer, and to protect the powder frommoisture, and to enable the use of small powder by the employment of themetallic coating, all for the purpose as hereinafter described.

In order to more fully explain the object of this invention, it isimportant to mention that, in the working of the gunpowder-hammer, thereare sparks left in the gun after each explosion, which will ignite theinserted powder before the entrance of the ram or hammer, which is fatalto the proper working of the machine. It is, therefore, very importantthat the powder does not explode until the cartridge is crushed by thesudden entrance of the ram, when the maximum effect is realized.

It is to remedy this defect that this covering or coating of the powderwas provided, which enables the covered powder to lie upon hot sparksfor a period of ten seconds, more or less, without ignition, duringwhich time the hammer will have reached and crushed the coating orcovering, exposing the powder to the highly-heated air and sparks, whichignite and explode the powder, with its attending results.

It will be observed that it is best that the materials employed incovering the powder be water-proof, as the soda powder employed isdeliquescent, absorbing moisture, which injures the explosive propertyof the powder. A resinous or greasy material or tin-foil coating is bestsuited for the purpose. I

It is evident that various materials can be substituted for the described coating, and that the shape of the coating or covering may bevariously fashioned without any alteration in the result. I therefore donot wish to confine myself to the materials employed, or to the shape ofthe same.

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The improved coated cartridge herein described, suitable for operatinggunpowder-hammers and preventing premature explosions, consisting of acharge of gunpowder, or other explosive material, covered with atemporary protection against ignition, as and for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS SHAW. Witnesses: HECTOR ORR,

JAMES KEENAN.

